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by Bilge Rat
Mon Mar 06, 2023 8:26 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Foam in oil
Replies: 4
Views: 2059

Re: Foam in oil

Good luck.
by Bilge Rat
Sat Mar 04, 2023 1:24 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Foam in oil
Replies: 4
Views: 2059

Re: Foam in oil

Another thought; is the engine in the boat when you're running or is it on an engine stand? If the engine is not at the correct angle, the dipstick level will be wrong and it would be overfilled.
by Bilge Rat
Thu Mar 02, 2023 7:24 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Foam in oil
Replies: 4
Views: 2059

Re: Foam in oil

Hopefully you're not seeing water in the oil. That would appear as looking like a chocolate milkshake. You might want to pull a valve cover and look at the condition of the oil that remains there, if water is present in the oil, it gets a thorough "mixing" in the valve rocker areas. What oil are you...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Feb 21, 2023 7:22 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KLC piston height
Replies: 7
Views: 2215

Re: KLC piston height

I suppose its possible that a violent stop at a higher RPM could bend a rod, but I would think the clutch pack in the transmission would slip sufficiently to prevent that. Another possibility is water in the cylinder causing a hydro lock condition. The hydro lock could have been fixed with a new hea...
by Bilge Rat
Thu Jan 12, 2023 7:59 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Bungs or no bungs
Replies: 2
Views: 1709

Re: Bungs or no bungs

Pretty sure all varnished planks, deck, transom and hull sides would have been bunged in 1941. It might be that over the years so much sanding was done to the hull sides, the planks are now too thin to hold a bung. Might take a bit of non-destructive detective work to verify if that's the case.
by Bilge Rat
Fri Oct 28, 2022 7:37 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: Repair damage to transom/deck corner
Replies: 2
Views: 2381

Re: Repair damage to transom/deck corner

Tough spot to repair. It might be possible to open up the split a little and glue it together. Not sure if you can get a long pipe clamp there to hold it while the glue dries, but after that has set up, see how sound it looks, sand, stain and varnish. With some mahogany filler over the original crus...
by Bilge Rat
Tue Oct 04, 2022 7:07 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: When is time to replace bottom?
Replies: 2
Views: 2611

Re: When is time to replace bottom?

No real hard and fast age determination on when to redo a bottom, but for a 58 year old wood boat on the what may be the original bottom, I'd guess the time has come. Chris Craft, like so many auto makers didn't plan for long life of their product. Only 6 years was the original planned obsolesce bef...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Sep 19, 2022 7:54 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Propeller repair recommendations
Replies: 1
Views: 2054

Re: Propeller repair recommendations

A good prop shop should be able to repair, true and balance that. Where are you located?
by Bilge Rat
Wed Aug 03, 2022 9:34 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: 1957 chris craft cavalier 2 bottom beams
Replies: 2
Views: 2219

Re: 1957 chris craft cavalier 2 bottom beams

The engine stringers are probably Douglas Fir. You could substitute White Oak but it would weigh more and harder to drive fasteners into (need to bore accurate taper diameter holes and lube the screws).
by Bilge Rat
Fri Jul 22, 2022 6:22 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: High Oil Pressure in KFL
Replies: 5
Views: 2203

Re: High Oil Pressure in KFL

There is an adjustment screw in the crankcase behind the starboard side pan cover. You have to drain the oil down and remove the cover to access the locknut and screw. Recommend that you obtain a new gasket or two for the cover. I cannot remember which way you turn the screw but someone on here will...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Jul 06, 2022 1:39 pm
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: KFL won't start after it sits for 20 mins
Replies: 8
Views: 3411

Re: KFL won't start after it sits for 20 mins

Sounds like you have extensive knowledge in engine work. You're right, not many tractor engine races, excepting the crazy high performance tractor pulls that most times end up in blown up engines. I used to own a 1955 17 foot Sportsman with the KLC 131 HP engine. I never boated at higher elevations,...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Jul 06, 2022 8:46 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: KFL won't start after it sits for 20 mins
Replies: 8
Views: 3411

Re: KFL won't start after it sits for 20 mins

Just an FYI, the condenser is a small metallic capacitor usually inside the distributor or for older ones, strapped to the outside of the distributor body. They do go bad and replacement is cheap.
by Bilge Rat
Thu Jun 30, 2022 9:24 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: KFL won't start after it sits for 20 mins
Replies: 8
Views: 3411

Re: KFL won't start after it sits for 20 mins

Might be related to today's gasoline formulation for fuel injection engines and the higher elevation of Lake Tahoe. Gas is formulated for easier atomization required for fuel inject engines and is not what a carburetor wants. After shutdown, it is probably boiling away in the carbs and starving the ...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Jun 29, 2022 8:41 am
Forum: Hardware & Rigging
Topic: Stern flag mast
Replies: 1
Views: 2458

Re: Stern flag mast

Try Jim Staib at finewoodboats.com. He manufactures some stern poles and has the correct hardware and light fixtures.
by Bilge Rat
Thu Jun 23, 2022 6:45 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Name Plate Restoration
Replies: 2
Views: 1445

Re: Name Plate Restoration

I bought a pair from Jim Staib. High quality.
by Bilge Rat
Mon Apr 25, 2022 7:13 am
Forum: Research Related
Topic: 1939 Utility Gas line install question
Replies: 1
Views: 2442

Re: 1939 Utility Gas line install question

It probably was run a couple of inches from the top of the stringer and as you said, supported with scraps of upholstery. As a concession to modern safety, I would use a rubber lined clamp to secure it to the stringer and you may also want to consider a braided flex fuel hose where it connects to th...
by Bilge Rat
Mon Apr 25, 2022 7:06 am
Forum: Finishing
Topic: ‘57 CC Sedan bow decking
Replies: 4
Views: 3450

Re: ‘57 CC Sedan bow decking

That mahogany foredeck looks great.
by Bilge Rat
Wed Feb 02, 2022 7:34 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KBL , at the end of its life?
Replies: 19
Views: 6219

Re: KBL , at the end of its life?

You didn't mention it, but a compression test might tell a lot about what's going on. You could have a dead cylinder and that could cause a lot of what you are experiencing. KBL engines are available either in need of a total rebuild or complete and ready to run. Finewoodboats.com and mccallboatwork...
by Bilge Rat
Thu Jan 27, 2022 3:09 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: What is this
Replies: 3
Views: 3012

Re: What is this

When working properly, it will self bail the boat when you're up to speed and the bilge water washes aft. As Jim said, there is a small vent hole at the top of the bend to prevent unwanted siphoning and this must be clear. I would also suggest installing a ball valve sea cock on the threaded part of...
by Bilge Rat
Sat Jan 22, 2022 11:30 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Changes in Oil Pressure
Replies: 3
Views: 1823

Re: Changes in Oil Pressure

Agree with adding a little more oil and check the pressure. Your pressure gauge could also be inaccurate and only attaching a test gauge to the engine oil galley port would tell. There is a pump pressure adjustment inside the crankcase behind the side cover. You would have to drain (suck) the oil le...
by Bilge Rat
Fri Jan 14, 2022 7:18 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: MBL with zenith carberator
Replies: 1
Views: 1542

Re: MBL with zenith carberator

Have you tried Jim Staib at finewoodboats.com ? He has complete carbs as well as rebuild kits.
by Bilge Rat
Tue Jan 04, 2022 7:18 am
Forum: On the Hard
Topic: Fender Cleats
Replies: 1
Views: 3076

Re: Fender Cleats

Try Jim Staib at finewoodboats.com
by Bilge Rat
Mon Jan 03, 2022 7:14 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Old original K motor start up
Replies: 6
Views: 2754

Re: Old original K motor start up

I would just add to that these engines use flat valve tappets (lifters) and modern oils no longer have the ZDDP additive to keep these high pressure parts adequately lubricated. You of course have no idea if the previous owner knew that or maintained it properly, but for future oil changes, you can ...
by Bilge Rat
Fri Dec 03, 2021 7:57 am
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: The perfect Cruiser for a Car Nut
Replies: 4
Views: 4386

Re: The perfect Cruiser for a Car Nut

If you are a paying member on this site and go to Research, Hull Registry and search for the 1969 Chris Craft Corvette, there's one there named Lucky Bag. Sounds like it could actually be your boat with a picture and description.
by Bilge Rat
Tue Nov 09, 2021 7:23 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: 1956 17' Sportsman 5200 Bottom
Replies: 10
Views: 6189

Re: 1956 17' Sportsman 5200 Bottom

It has been done many times. Some will say to use West system with carriage bolts. Some will say CPES the entire joint, use 5200 and carriage bolts (that's what I would do). A "keyed" scarf joint would be the most stable in this high stress structural member. Try placing the scarf joint in a fairly ...
by Bilge Rat
Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:29 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Repowering 1956 MCL, best alternate?
Replies: 4
Views: 3028

Re: Repowering 1956 MCL, best alternate?

You may already realize this, but you will have to redesign the engine box to accommodate a V8 of any size, even a Chris Craft 283.
by Bilge Rat
Tue Sep 14, 2021 6:25 am
Forum: Research Related
Topic: Sportsman Hull Numbers
Replies: 1
Views: 3338

Re: Sportsman Hull Numbers

I used to own a 1955 17 foot Sportsman CC 17 2061. Hull card showed it as a 1955 but it probably was sold in 1956.
by Bilge Rat
Wed Sep 08, 2021 6:38 am
Forum: Hardware & Rigging
Topic: 1930 Gemmer Steering Box Leak
Replies: 3
Views: 4031

Re: 1930 Gemmer Steering Box Leak

I cannot tell you if there's supposed to be a gasket there. I am only familiar with the later Gemmer steering boxes from the 50's. I can tell you that even with proper gaskets trying to keep the oil in is a challenge and no one wants oil in the bilge! I have followed previous advice and substituted ...
by Bilge Rat
Wed Sep 01, 2021 6:26 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: KL Carb Filter Cleaning
Replies: 4
Views: 3013

Re: KL Carb Filter Cleaning

I clean mine by removing the brass screen from the housing and spraying with brake cleaner. If you have a compressed air source, blow out any loosened grime that the brake cleaner softened.
by Bilge Rat
Sat Jul 31, 2021 10:22 am
Forum: Electrical Systems
Topic: 63 Sea Skiff Sportsman dead electrical system
Replies: 12
Views: 6037

Re: 63 Sea Skiff Sportsman dead electrical system

Best of luck chasing the electron gremlins!